Cement Industry in Ghana Explained: Accra Street Journal Intelligence Brief

From US$500 million imports to a low-carbon revolution — the forces reshaping Ghana’s construction backbone

Executive Introduction

Every road, bridge, school, hospital, and home built in Ghana starts with one essential ingredient: cement. The industry that produces it is not merely a manufacturing sector—it is the backbone of national development. When Ghana’s government announces a GH¢60 billion infrastructure programme, it is the cement industry that must deliver the bags. When housing deficits grow and urbanisation accelerates, it is the cement industry that must keep pace.

Yet for all its strategic importance, Ghana’s cement industry operates under structural constraints that most consumers never see. The country is Africa’s largest importer of clinker—the key intermediary product in cement manufacturing—spending close to US$500 million annually importing this essential input from Asia and the Middle East . This dependence exposes the industry to exchange rate volatility, global shipping costs, and port congestion. It also creates persistent vulnerability to price shocks and supply disruptions.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Ghana’s cement industry, structured around four key themes:

1. Market structure and capacity — With installed capacity exceeding 10 million tonnes annually and domestic demand estimated between 7 and 9 million tonnes per year, Ghana produces more cement than it consumes, yet remains dependent on imported clinker .

2. The clinker import challenge — The industry’s reliance on imported clinker leaves it exposed to port congestion, demurrage costs, and currency depreciation. In February 2026, cement manufacturers warned of potential price increases as clinker vessels faced delays of up to 20 days at Ghana’s ports .

3. The low-carbon revolution — In March 2026, President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the world’s largest calcined clay cement facility at the Tema Industrial Enclave. The US$110 million plant, operated by CBI Ghana Limited, has the capacity to produce 400,000 tonnes of calcined clay annually, reducing the need for imported clinker by approximately 400,000 tonnes—equivalent to roughly ten cargo vessels each year .

4. Price dynamics and growth outlook — Cement prices rose sharply between 2022 and 2024, with retail prices in major urban markets reaching GH¢110 to GH¢135 per 50kg bag . The market is expected to grow from GHS 731.3 million in 2025 to approximately GHS 1,012.0 million by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6% .

The industry is at an inflection point. The shift toward calcined clay technology promises to reduce foreign exchange demand, lower carbon emissions, and insulate manufacturers from global supply chain shocks. The question is whether Ghana can fully localise its cement value chain and transform from Africa’s largest clinker importer into a regional manufacturing hub.

Part 1: Market Structure and Capacity

Production Capacity vs Domestic Demand

Ghana’s cement industry operates with a paradoxical structure: installed production capacity exceeds domestic demand, yet the industry remains heavily dependent on imported inputs.

Sources: ASJ Industry Analysis

The gap between capacity and consumption is not necessarily problematic—it allows for export potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, most cement plants in Ghana operate primarily as grinding facilities, importing clinker before blending it with gypsum and other additives to produce finished cement .

The Major Players

The cement market in Ghana is dominated by several key manufacturers, with GHACEM (a subsidiary of HeidelbergCement) historically holding the largest market share. Other major players include:

The industry is represented by the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG) , which advocates for member interests and engages with government on policy issues .

The Grinding Plant Model

Most cement plants in Ghana do not produce clinker—they import it. The typical facility operates as follows:

This structure makes the industry highly sensitive to:

• Exchange rate fluctuations — Clinker is priced in US dollars

• Global shipping costs — Freight rates directly affect landed costs

• Port efficiency — Demurrage charges accumulate when vessels are delayed

• Global clinker prices — Supply disruptions anywhere affect Ghana

Part 2: The Clinker Import Challenge — A US$500 Million Vulnerability

Africa’s Largest Clinker Importer

Ghana spends close to US$500 million annually importing clinker, making it Africa’s largest importer of this critical cement input . Much of that supply arrives from Asia and the Middle East, exposing local manufacturers to:

• Exchange rate volatility

• Global freight cost fluctuations

• International commodity price movements

• Supply chain disruptions

This dependency has direct consequences for consumers. Between 2022 and 2024, the sharp depreciation of the cedi contributed to rising cement prices, with retail prices in major urban markets reaching GH¢110 to GH¢135 per 50kg bag depending on brand and strength class .

The Port Congestion Crisis (February 2026)

In February 2026, cement manufacturers warned of potential price increases as congestion at Ghana’s ports delayed the unloading of clinker, with vessels waiting up to 20 days to berth .

The manufacturers’ position:

Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, CEO of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana, described the situation as “dire,” noting that the industry was financially “leaking” due to mounting demurrage charges. He warned that prolonged vessel delays would drive up costs, with the likelihood of higher cement prices on the domestic market if the congestion continued .

The emergency meeting:

On 23 February 2026, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, convened an emergency meeting with cement manufacturers and the Transport Minister to address the bottlenecks. The government committed to expediting dredging works to expand berth capacity .

The Takoradi Port rebuttal:

However, Takoradi Port management firmly rebutted claims of congestion, stating that vessels carrying clinker were being handled without delay. A GBC visit to the port revealed no signs of congestion at the dry bulk terminal, with clinker being offloaded smoothly .

Robert Opoku, the Port Operations and Monitoring Manager, attributed the smooth operations to recent infrastructural upgrades, including a new draft of -16 meters allowing for larger vessels. He noted that the port could now accommodate three vessels over 200 meters in length simultaneously, with a loading rate of 2,500 tons per hour .

The divergent accounts highlight a broader issue: while Takoradi Port may be functioning efficiently, other ports or specific logistical bottlenecks may still be affecting manufacturers. The government’s dredging commitment suggests recognition that capacity constraints exist.

The Conveyor System Gap

Takoradi Port management also noted that GHACEM, which has a manufacturing plant located at the port, is yet to complete the operationalisation of a conveyor system that would link the dry bulk terminal directly to their facility. Completing this link would further streamline their supply chain and reduce reliance on truck transport .

This example illustrates how private sector logistics inefficiencies—not just port infrastructure—contribute to industry costs.

Part 3: The Low-Carbon Revolution — CBI Ghana’s Calcined Clay Plant

The US$110 Million Investment

On 5 March 2026, President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated a calcined clay cement plant at the Tema Industrial Enclave, operated by CBI Ghana Limited, producers of Supacem Cement . The facility is described as the world’s largest clay-based cement facility and represents a significant step toward low-carbon manufacturing.

Key facts about the facility:

Sources: ASJ Industry Analysis

The Technology: Calcined Clay Cement

Traditional cement manufacturing is responsible for roughly 7–8 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The most carbon-intensive component is clinker, which requires heating limestone to extremely high temperatures in energy-intensive kilns.

How calcined clay technology works:

The plant uses locally sourced clay from the Torgome Traditional Area in the Volta Region to partially replace imported clinker in cement production . The calcined clay cement (LC3) technology can reduce emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional Portland cement while maintaining the strength and quality required for modern construction .

Reducing the Import Bill

Ghana currently spends close to US$500 million annually importing clinker . The new plant is expected to replace about 400,000 tonnes of clinker imports each year, equivalent to roughly ten cargo vessels annually, according to company estimates. If realised, that could reduce the domestic clinker import bill by tens of millions of US dollars annually while lowering foreign exchange demand from the construction sector .

Frédéric Albrecht, Managing Director of CBI Ghana, explained the strategic significance: “Every year, Ghana spends close to half a billion US dollars importing clinker. That is hard currency that can stabilise our local currency. From this plant, the largest of its kind in the world, we are replacing imported clinker with locally produced calcined clay” .

The 24-Hour Economy Alignment

The facility has also been designed to operate continuously in line with the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy . The plant incorporates automated packing systems capable of filling 10 cement bags simultaneously and loading a 40-tonne truck within approximately 25 minutes, improving logistics efficiency for bulk distribution .

Strategic Significance for AfCFTA

President Mahama noted that the plant could take advantage of opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area, as its high local content satisfies rules-of-origin requirements for trade across the continent . This positions Ghana as a potential cement exporter to other West African markets, transforming the country from net importer of cement inputs to regional manufacturing hub.

Part 4: Growth Outlook and Price Dynamics

Market Growth Projections

According to ConsTrack360, the cement market in Ghana is expected to grow by 7.1% in 2026 to reach GHS 783.5 million .

The growth is driven by:

• Urbanisation and rising housing demand

• Government infrastructure spending (GH¢60 billion Big Push programme)

• Population growth

• Economic recovery and construction sector expansion

Recent Price Trends

Between 2022 and 2024, retail cement prices in major urban markets such as Accra and Kumasi reached GH¢110 to GH¢135 per 50kg bag depending on brand and strength class .

Factors contributing to price increases:

The potential for further price increases remains. In February 2026, cement manufacturers warned that continued port congestion could force them to pass on higher costs to consumers . The government’s commitment to dredging and berth expansion is intended to address these constraints.

The Impact of Local Clinker Substitution

The new calcined clay facility could mitigate future price increases by reducing dependence on imported clinker. Key benefits include:

However, the substitution effect will take time. The facility’s 400,000 tonnes of calcined clay annual capacity represents only a portion of total clinker imports. Scaling up local production will require additional investment and industry-wide adoption of LC3 technology.

Government Infrastructure as Demand Driver

President Mahama noted at the inauguration that the government is investing more than GH¢60 billion in national infrastructure development: “CBI Ghana Calcined Clay Cement is joining the Big Push programme, supporting roads, interchanges, culverts, and drains built entirely with locally produced cement” .

The government’s target to increase manufacturing’s contribution to GDP to at least 15 per cent by 2030, with the potential to generate up to 500,000 jobs, will rely heavily on a robust cement industry .

Part 5: Environmental Implications

The Carbon Footprint of Cement

Traditional cement manufacturing is responsible for approximately 7–8 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions . The majority of these emissions come from the clinker production process, which requires heating limestone to extremely high temperatures—typically using fossil fuels—and releases CO₂ as a chemical byproduct of the calcination reaction.

Ghana’s Climate Commitments

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, noted that the calcined clay project would help Ghana meet its international climate obligations, including commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64 million tonnes by 2030 .

The LC3 Solution

The LC3 (limestone calcined clay cement) technology used at the CBI facility offers substantial environmental benefits:

The company says the LC3 process can cut emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional Portland cement, reflecting the lower energy required to produce calcined clay relative to clinker .

Conclusion: From Importer to Manufacturer

Ghana’s cement industry stands at a crossroads. For decades, the country has been Africa’s largest clinker importer, spending nearly US$500 million annually on inputs from Asia and the Middle East . This dependence has exposed the construction sector to exchange rate volatility, global freight costs, and port congestion—vulnerabilities that translate directly into higher prices for cement bags and, ultimately, for homes and infrastructure.

The March 2026 inauguration of the world’s largest calcined clay cement facility signals a potential turning point. The US$110 million plant, operated by CBI Ghana Limited, can produce 400,000 tonnes of calcined clay annually, replacing approximately ten cargo vessels worth of imported clinker each year . The technology also reduces carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent, aligning with Ghana’s Paris Agreement commitments .

But one facility does not an industry transformation make. The clinker import challenge remains significant. The port congestion crisis of February 2026 demonstrated how quickly global supply chain disruptions can affect local cement prices. The disparity between Takoradi Port’s smooth operations and manufacturers’ complaints about delays suggests that logistics bottlenecks are unevenly distributed and not yet fully resolved.

The growth outlook is positive—the market is projected to expand from GHS 731.3 million in 2025 to GHS 1,012.0 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.6% . Government infrastructure spending under the Big Push programme will drive demand. Urbanisation and housing deficits will sustain growth.

The question is whether Ghana’s cement industry can use this period of expansion to reduce its structural vulnerabilities. The shift toward calcined clay technology, if adopted more widely, could lower foreign exchange demand, stabilise prices, and position Ghana as a cement exporter under AfCFTA. That would be a genuine transformation—from Africa’s largest clinker importer to a regional manufacturing hub. The foundation has been laid. The construction has begun.

Quick Reference: Ghana Cement Industry Fact Sheet

Last Updated on June 9, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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